SHUPA PET DOG / THE PRACTICAL EDIT
Leaving Your Dog With a Sitter
The best dog-sitting arrangements make everyday decisions easier for the person caring for your dog.
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The best dog-sitting arrangements make everyday decisions easier for the person caring for your dog. A clear written handover prevents avoidable guessing when you are not available. Copy this one-page care sheet, personalize it, and share it privately with the sitter; don’t post personal addresses, access codes or phone numbers publicly.
1. Essential contacts
- Owner name and preferred contact method: ____
- Backup person available locally: ____
- Regular veterinarian and telephone: ____
- Nearest emergency veterinary clinic: ____
- Where emergency treatment consent or financial arrangements are documented: ____
2. Daily routine and feeding
| Topic | Instruction for sitter |
|---|---|
| Meals | Brand, amount prescribed or agreed, times, food storage |
| Water | Where bowls are, how to refill |
| Bathroom | Usual breaks and known warning signs |
| Walks | Preferred route, leash/harness, any restrictions |
| Rest | Quiet sleeping area and household rules |
| Enrichment | Safe favorites and what to avoid |
3. Handling and behavior
Describe what helps your dog relax, any fears of strangers, other animals or loud noises, and instructions for safe entrances and exits. Tell the sitter whether food, toys or personal space are sensitive issues. Do not encourage an unfamiliar sitter to restrain or confront a distressed dog; arrange a qualified professional instead if behavior presents a significant safety risk.
4. Medicines and special needs
Copy exact veterinary instructions, including the medicine name, dose, timing, storage and who to contact with a missed dose. Do not ask a sitter to improvise doses or give human medicines. Include relevant allergies, movement restrictions, and recent health concerns.
5. Before the handover
- Meet the sitter and dog together in a calm environment.
- Practice the expected door, feeding and leash routine while you are present.
- Label supplies and prepare safe waste disposal and cleaning supplies.
- Agree how the sitter will send updates and what situations warrant an immediate call.
- Store the care sheet somewhere accessible but protect private security details.
Before deciding on a sitter versus boarding, use our care-arrangement decision matrix to compare verified supervision, comfort and emergency procedures.
6. Emergency response agreement
If the dog appears seriously ill, has trouble breathing, ingests a known toxin or shows severe pain, the sitter should seek immediate veterinary advice. The sitter should not wait for an online reply from the owner if urgent care is needed. Review which veterinary provider to call and how transport would work.
New printable worksheet: Use the dog-sitter care card builder to turn your confirmed feeding, house rules and emergency contacts into a single printout. It works locally without storing the details. Always check medication instructions with your veterinarian.
Related: daily observation log, vet appointment worksheet, and safe walking checklist.
Original Shupa Pet Dog planning guide • October 16, 2026. General education only. Consult a veterinarian or other qualified professional for individual health and safety needs.